Jennifer Hunter's blog

The chartered chapter of Sweet Adelines International performed two songs at the Music Hall in City Hall. Originally the group of women were supposed to sing at the steps of City Hall, but the rain prevented that from happening. Kelly told the group she wants them to perform again, but at the steps on Broadway.

The chorus travels to various competitions. According to its website, its an organization dedicated to promoting the art form of barbershop harmony through education and performance, striving for excellence in musicianship and performance.

On Saturday, May 19th Saratoga Soundtrack Chorus sang its way to two medals at the Greater New York/New Jersey Region 15 Annual Convention and Competition, Sweet Adelines International held in Albany. The chorus won second place in Small Chorus Division A (15-30 singing members on stage). They were also awarded the Dody O’Brien Most Improved medal by raising last year’s score by 38 points. Saratoga Soundtrack Chorus was proud to achieve this personal goal under their new director, Jennifer K. Hunter, who made her novice director entrance to the competition stage. The chorus package included the beautiful ballad “If You Love Me, Really Love Me,” by Geoffrey Parsons and Marguerite Monnot.

After 11 years directing Saratoga Soundtrack Chorus, Nancy Faddegon will be joining her fellow singers on the risers and taking on the role of Associate Director. During Nancy’s amazing tenure as director, the chorus has won 11 medals including four Regional Division A and AA medals and two International Harmony Classic Medals. She was awarded the status of Master Director in 2016. Nancy also brought her expertise as a multi-medalist quartet champion to the chorus. In addition to directing the award-winning Saratoga Soundtrack Chorus, Nancy is an accomplished barbershop arranger and composer. Her arrangements brought music history to life in our Musical Odyssey Package and our Rosie the Riverter Package on the International Stage.

In 1933, George P. Oslin, an executive at Western Union, had the foresight to create the singing telegram, in order to bring happy news to recipients, as most telegrams brought the sad news of a deceased loved one.

On December 1, Saratoga Soundtrack Chorus, stationed on the porch of Salt & Char, sang holiday favorites to the throngs of the on-lookers at Saratoga Springs’ Victorian Streetwalk. Children and adults enjoyed Christmas classics, such as “I’ll Be Home for Christmas”, “Jingle Bell Rock”, and a parody of “The 12 Days of Christmas” called “The 12 Days After Christmas”, while eating free candy canes provided by Saratoga Soundtrack Chorus.

The Saratoga Soundtrack Chorus performed recently for an appreciative audience at the Speculator Pavilion in Speculator, N.Y. Saratoga Soundtrack Chorus, an award-winning women’s a cappella group singing four-part harmony, is a not-for-profit chartered chorus of Sweet Adelines International, a worldwide organization of women singers committed to advancing the musical art form of barbershop harmony through education and performance. For more information, go to www.saratogasoundtrack.org.

The Saratoga Soundtrack Recipient 1) Is a member in good standing, 2) Has excellent attendance, 3) Performs at gigs regularly, 4) Goes beyond the norm by giving extra time to the chorus in other ways, 5) Is friendly and respectful of chorus members and leadership, 6) Has great attitude off and on the risers, 7) Continually strives to do her best, 8) Is an excellent representative of Sweet Adelines, and 9) Has not received the award in the past 3 years. In addition, the region recognizes the winner as 1) Working tirelessly for her chapter, 2) Has a positive influence on the chapter, 3) is a great ambassador for the chapter, and 4) is a "Real woman, singing Real harmony, and having Real fun!"